Electrical cut-out



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ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

ALBERT I. SEYMOUR, OF SYR-AOUSE, NEIV YORK.

ELECTRICAL CUT-OUT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,608, dated Januaryl0, 1899'.

Application filed November l, 1897. Serial No. 657,007. {No.nmdel.)

.T0 @ZZ 10700111/ t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT P. SEYMOUR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electrical Out-Outs; and Ido hereby declare that the following, in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention.

My invention relates to cut-outs for electric circuits; and it consistsin a new principle of construction by which the arc formed when a fuseblows is broken with great certainty,as well as in certain details whichmake my cut-out safer, cheaper, and more economical.

In my cut out, which is of the fuse-box and plug type, the box, made ofporcelain,is provided with a recess whose surface is formed with ribs orprojections, and the porcelain plug for sustaining the fuse andiittingloosely in the recess is formed with similar ribs or projections,so that when the plug is inserted in position the recess is divided intotwo absolutely distinct chambers connected onlyby a small aperture inthe end of the plug, large enough to receive the fuse. By thisconstruction the arc is at once broken, it being difficult for the arcto maintain itself through a small aperture and there being no chamberfor the collection of the expanded airand heated gases, which act as aconducting medium. For the quick expulsion of these gases generated onthe blowing of a fuse ilaring channels are formed in the sides of therecess. These are the more important features of my invention and may beembodied in cut-outs of various forms supported in various ways; but theparticular form I have here shown has decided advantages. It may hesecured easily in position by screws without the use of a metallicbracket, and the wires may be attached to the ears without using anextra insulator.

My invention will be understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which the same reference letters and numerals indicate thesame parts in all the figures.

Figure I is a bottom plan view of the fusebox without the plug. Fig. IIis a vertical section of thc 'fuse-box. on line II II of Fig. I,

the plug in process of insertion being shown in elevation. Fig. III is acorresponding vertical section of the fuse-box and plug, showing theplug' pushed home. Fig. IV is a vertical section on line IV IV of Fig.I, showing the plug in elevation. Fig. V is a corresponding sectionwitho ut the plug or metallic parts. Fig. VI is a side elevation of mycut-out. Fig. VII is a bottom plan view of the box, portions beingbroken away, with the plug in process of being inserted shown incrosssection on line VII VII of Fig. II. Fig. VIII is a viewcorresponding to Fig. VII after the plug has been turned into positionwith the terminals interlocking. Fig. IX is an end plan of the plug.Fig. X is a section of the plug on line X X of Fig. II. Fig. XI is aperspective view of the plug, the metallic parts being removed. Fig. XIIis another perspective of the plug, taken from a different point, theterminals and fuse being shown in position.

In the figures, I indicates the fuse-box, provided with shoulders 2 2,formed with screwholes 3 3 for receiving the screws to secure thecut-out in position, and with ears 4 4, formed with -holes 5 5 for theattachment of the wires. The box is provided with an enlarged basehaving a substantially rectangular opening' '7, surrounded with amarginal wall or vpetticoat7 8.

9 is the central recess ofthe box, having its internal wall formed withthe ribs lO l0, having the substantially radial faces a ct, .and withthe flaring grooves Il Il, the ribs extending outwardly below the mouthof the recess, forming the projections 12 l2 on the lower plane surfacelof the box, whose function is to prevent a short-circuit that otherwisemight be formed between the metallic terminals secured to said lowersurface. Ou the upper wall of the recess is formed the dependingprojection or ridge I3 13, having the radial faces b Z) continuous withthe faces ct a.

l5 is the porcelain plug, formed with the handle 16, ribs i7 17, havingradial faces c c, projection-tips 18 I8, side grooves I9 19, and endgrooves 2O to receive the fuse, and teeth or knife-edges 2l 21 (bestshown in Figs. II and XI) in these side grooves to keep the fuse off theporcelain. The tips IS 1S are slightly IOO sot back at 22, as best shownin Figs. IV, Xl, and XH, to avoid danger of breaking when turned againstthe ridge 13 13, and are also formed with radial faces d. d. lVhen theplug is rotated, the radial faces of the ribs l0 contact or engage withthe radial faces of the ribs l?, and the tips 18 engage the faces of theridge 13, thus dividing the recess or chamber into two separate anddistinct chambers connected by the passage 20. Near the handle the plugis formed with depressions 23 23, in which are secured the metallicknife-blade contact-plates 2l 24, provided also with screws 25 25 forthe attachment of the fuse 26.

27 27 are the metallic terminals, secured in position on the lowersurface of the fuse-box by screws 28 QS, on which are also securedplates 29 2O for clamping the \vires 30 30. These terminals 27 27 arecomposed of double plates for receiving between them the contact-plates2l 24C, by which the plug is held in position.

From this description the operation and advantages of 4my cut-out willbe clear. rlhe plug is inserted in the recess longitudinally as far asit will go, which brings its contactplates in the same plane with theterminals on the box. The plug being then turned is locked securelyT inposition, so that it cannot be dislodged by shock or vibration. lVhenthe plug is thus inserted and turned home, the faces (l d of its tips 1S1S engage with the faces l) l: of the ridge and the faces c c or" itsribs with the faces a a of the recess-ribs lO lO, whereby the recess 0is divided into two absolutely distinct chambers connected only by thesmall aperture formed by end groove 20, through which passes the fuse,so that the heated gases generated by the blowing of a fuse cannotaccumulate in a single chamber in the top of the recess and act as aconducting medium. Furthermore, by means of the flaring grooves ll llprovision is made to permit the expelling of these heated gases asquickly as possible from the recess, and by the direction of thesegrooves the flash is outwardly from the center and not directly downinto the hand or face of the lineman who may be there at work.

My cut-out maybe used in various locations, being shown in Fig. YIsecured to the crossbar of a pole for use with a transformer. 'lheline-wire 30 is hitched through an ear el, forming a water-loop betweenthat and the terminal. The other wire 3l leads directly from the otherterminal to the transformer.

ln Figs. l, Il, and lll is illustrated an important feature of myinvention-namely, the prolongation of the shoulders 2 P on the fuseboxinto rearward extensions, by which the cut-out is sustained clear fromthe support, as best shown in Fig. YI, so that there is a considerablebreak between the support and the termina-ls 2T 27, rendering ashort-circuit therebetween impossible, whereas but for these rearwardprolongations or projections the fuse-box would be supported with itsrear wall against the support and there would be great danger,particularly in wet weather, of a short-circuit being formed over themarginal wall between the support and a terminal. The function of theserearward projections being as aforesaid it is evident they may be muchvariedin form and arrangement. They are also useful for supporting thefuse-box in process of manufacture after the glaze has been applied.

As stated, my cut-out is convenient and safe. rlhe plug may be withdrawneasily to break the circuit or replace the fuse. The fuse-box and plugare made of porcelain with the minimum of metal7 and by their peculiarform and arrangement break the arc with the greatest certainty. Manythousands have been tested for several months without failure.

Having thus fully described my invention, what l claim, and desire toprotect by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an electrical cut-out, the combination of a fuse-box, of suitablematerial, provided with a chamber having interior longitudinalradially-projecting faces, a rotatable fusecarrying plug, )rovided withexterior longitudinal radially-projecting' faces, adapted to contactwith the adially-projecting faces of the chamber,whereby said chamber isdivided into two separate chambers, metallic terminals on the fuse-box,and contact-plates en the plug for engaging said terminals.

2. In an electrical cut-out, the combination of a porcelain fuse-box,provided with a chamber having oppositely-faeed longitudinallyprojectingribs or shoulders, a rotatable porcelain plug, provided withcorrespondinglyfaced projecting ribs or shoulders, adapted to engage theribs or shoulders of the chamber, dividing said chamber into twoseparato chambers, the end of said plug provided with a communicatingpassage, metallic terminals on the fuse-box, and contact-plates on theplug for engaging said terminals.

3. In an electrical cut-out, the combination with a fuse-box, ofsuitable insulating material, provided with a chamber havingoppositely-faced longitudinal ribs, connected at their upper end by aradial' faced ridge, of a rotatable fuse-plug, of suitable insulating inaterial, provided with longitudinal ribs having faces adapted to engagethe faces of the chamber-ribs and projecting ends to engage the faces ofthe ridge, whereby the chamber is divided into two separate chambers,metallic terminals on the fuse-box and contact-plates on the plug forengaging said terminals.

4. In an electrical cutout, the combination with a porcelain fuse-box,provided with a substantially cylindrical chamber havingoppositely-projecting integral ribs, formed with radial faces, of arotatable porcelain plug, provided with correspondingly-faced integralribs, adapted to engage the radial faces of IOO IIO

the chamber-ribs, said plug heilig provided with contact-plates adaptedto engage with terminals on the fuse-box, when the plug is rotated.

5. In an electrical cut-out, in combination, a porcelain fuse-box havinga recess extending upwardly from its lower surface, a channel orchannels formed in the side wall of said recess for the expulsion offlamel and gases generated by the blow of the fuse, said channel orchannels being located at one side of the metallic terminals and flaringoutwardly and downwardlyaway from the plugnhandle, and a fuse-carryingplug fitted to said recess.

6. In an electrical cut-out, the combination of a porcelain fuse-box,provided with perforated ears for the attachment of the wires,perforated shoulders for receiving the securingscrews, and a margin orpetticoat surrounding its lower surface, and having a sub stantiallycylindrical recess extending upwardly from the lower surface, the wallof said recess being formed with inwardly-extending projections havingcontact-faces reversely arranged; of a plug adapted to be inserted intosaid recess longitudinally and rotatably, and having projectionsprovided with reversely-arranged contactfaces adapted to engage with thecontact-faces in the interior of said recess, when the plug is insertedtherein; of metallic terminals secured to the lower face of saidfuse-box, and for engaging therewith corresponding metalliccontact-plates secured to said plug, and of a fuse secured to saidcontact-plates.

7. In an electrical cut-out, the combination of a porcelain fuse-boxhaving a cylindrical upper portion and a substantially rectangular lowerportion, integral perforated ears on the upper portion, integralperforated shoulders, and asnbstantially cylindrical recess extendingupwardly from the lower surface, a fusecarrying plug .fitted to saidrecess, metallic terminals on the box, and for engaging therewithmetallic contact-plates on the plug.

v 8. In an electrical cut-out, the combination of aporcelain fuse-boxhaving perforated ears near its upper end for the attachment of thewires, perforated shoulders for receiving -the securing-screws, anintegral marginal wall or petticoat around its lower surface, a recessextending upwardly from said lower surface, projections in the walls ofthe recess having substantially radial faces, ilaring channels in thewall of the recess; a plug provided with metallic terminals and a fusesecured thereto and arranged in a groove in the plug, the plug beingformed with radial faces for engaging with the radial faces in theinterior of the recess and for dividing the saine into two chambers,communicating only bya small aperture in the end of the plug throughwhich the fuse passes; and metallic terminals on the lower face of thefuse-box for the attachment of the wires and for engagement with thecontact-plates on the plug.

9. In an electrical cu t-out, the combination of a porcelain fuse-boxhaving its lower surface surrounded by an integral depending margin orpetticoat within which are secured on said lower surface metallicterminals, a substantially cylindrical central recess extending fromsaid lower surface into the interior of said box, said recess havingribs eX- tending from top to bottom and continued outwardly beyond saidlower surface into projections, each rib and its continuous projectionbeing provided ywith a radial face, a depending projection or ridge inthe upper end of said recess, each half of which is formed with acontact-face continuous respectively with the contact-face of one ofsaid ribs; and a plug adapted to be inserted longitudinally androtatably in said recess formed with grooves on each side, and an endgroove connecting said side grooves for receiving the fuse, withlongitudinal ribs on each side, corresponding tips on its end, each riband its corresponding tip beingl formed with a substantially continuousradial face for engaging with the radial face of the ribs in theinteriorof said recess, so that when the plug is inserted in position saidrecess will be divided into two chambers communicating only by saidsmall end groove; metallic terminals secured to the lower face of saidbox on each side of the recess provided with means for se curing thewires thereto, corresponding metallic knifesblade contact-plates securedin depressicns'on the plug and provided with means for the attachment ofthe fuse, said plug-terminals being adapted to engage with said fuse-boxterminals when the plug is rotated into position for making contacttherewith and securing the plug.

l0. In combination, in an electrical cut-out, a porcelain fuse-boxhaving a central recess provided with integral and substantially op IOOposite longitudinal ribs in. its side walls for having substantiallyradial faces, integral projections extending downwardly from the lowersurface of said fuse-bor; also having substantially radial faces incontinuation of the faces of the longitudinal rib, a fuse-carryingporcelain plug formed with integral ribs having substantially radialfaces for engaging with said fuse-box radial faces when the plug isinserted with a longitudinal and rotary motion, and metalliccontact-plates and terminals secured respectively to said plug andfuse-box for making connection and .holding the plug in position when itis turned home.

il. As a new article of manufacture, an integral porcelain fuse-box foran electric cutout having perforated ears for the attachment of theline-wire, vperforated shoulders for the supporting-screws and alongitudinal recess for receiving the fuse-carrying plug.

l2. ln combination, in an electric cut-out, an integral fusebox ofsuitable insulating material having perforated ears for the line- IIOIZO

*wire ind performed Ashoulders projecting rearwardlybeyond the surfaceof the fuse-box, :i fnse-earrying ping fitted to a recess in thefuse-box, and nietalie terminals on said plug, for engagement to holdthe ping in position in said recess.

n Witness whereof ha hereunto sei in f hand, in the presence of twoattesting Witmesses, it Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in theStato of New York, this 30th day 1o of October, 1807.

AUSER" l. SEYMOUR.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK P. SCHENCK,

i i i 1 I L. F. Wnismine.

